Alas Pilipinas Volleyball Team Rewarded for Historic Achievement
The Philippine government pledges a hefty reward for the history-making Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, days after word got out that players only received token allowance.
Reward for Historic Efforts
After a week of grueling, historic efforts in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup, players and coaches of Alas Pilipinas are finally getting the reward they deserve. Mere minutes after the hastily assembled national team defied the odds and earned the country’s first-ever podium finish in the continental level, Senator Bong Go, through the Philippine Sports Commission, pledged a P200,000 reward for each team member for their monumental feat.
Recognition for Monumental Feat
Although reporters did not hear what Go exactly told the team, officers of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) eventually confirmed the development, and the Alas’ players reactions to the senator’s huddle essentially gave the story away.
Concerns Over Allowances
This comes on the heels of a report that Alas players only initially got P15,000 each as allowance for their entire tour of duty, a small amount considering the career-threatening risks athletes take while playing for the flag outside their respective club teams.
Initiative for Reward-Giving
While Republic Act No. 9064 mandates the government to hand out cash incentives for medalists of major sporting events, Senator Bong Go’s discretionary reward for Alas Pilipinas sets a positive precedent for recognizing achievements in international tournaments like the AVC Challenge Cup.
Anticipated Bonuses
Given the magnitude of Alas’ bronze achievement under such unfavorable circumstances, other government entities, private individuals, and businesses are likely following suit with their own bonuses in the coming days.